CROSSDEVCultural Routes for Sustainable Social and economic Development in Mediterranean

CROSSDEV is a 3-years project co-funded by the European Union through the ENI CBC MED Programme . The project’s objective is contributing to the economic and social development in Mediterranean, strengthening and enhancing sustainable tourism practices, emphasizing common heritages and resources. Specifically, it expects to increase touristic competitiveness & attractiveness of less known destinations, rural/depressed areas, adopting/enhancing the Cultural Routes concept/experiences in selected areas of 4 countries:

Italy: Sicily, communities in the areas along the Via Selinuntina,, neighbourhoods of Sambuca di Sicilia (Province of Agrigento) and Castelvetrano-Selinunte (Province of Trapani)Jordan: communities around less known historical and cultural sites in Aqaba area (Southern Jordan) and archaeological site of Umm Qais (Northern Jordan)Lebanon: villages in the area of Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve, Mount LebanonPalestine: the extended area of Masar Ibrahim Al-Khalil from Beit Mirsim to Battir - southern of the West Bank.

Expected changes:

Developing positive attitudes/practices in sustainable tourism enhancing the involvement and commitment of public authorities, actors of tourism-related sectors, educational institutions, civil society organizations, youth and the general public.

Expected results:

Increased attractiveness of less known touristic destinations
Increased diversification of tourism offering through the promotion of local and territorial assets/drivers in off season periods